Sobriety court graduate celebrated

After a long road through the 64-A Ionia Treatment and Sobriety Court (ITASC), Tim Lanz can call himself a graduate.

Lanz was congratulated Thursday in Ionia County 64-A District Court for completing ITASC after 19 months.

"I feel great, actually," said Lanz, adding he is thankful for the program. "I'll have a lot better things going for myself."

ITASC is an intervention program that uses members of the Ionia County Prosecutor's Office, defense attorney, members of the court, probation officers and treatment providers. It uses four phases to assist adults who have pled guilty to one or more non-violent alcohol offenses and who are having difficulty staying sober. To be eligible, offenders must be facing an adult criminal charge or probation violation in the county, be diagnosed as alcohol dependent, have the ability to pay for costs associated with the program, have underlying criminal offenses having to do with alcohol and a motor vehicle and must reside within the boundaries of ITASC for at least 18 months.

Lanz said the program kept him on his toes, helped him become closer to family and made him work hard to get where he is today. Thanks to goals he helped set for himself with Dennis Miten of Northpoint Counseling Services, his life can continue on a straight path.

Ionia County 64-A District Court Judge Raymond Voet congratulated Lanz's efforts and presented him with a certificate and two Meijer gift cards.

"No man is an island, and your actions impact a lot of people." Voet said to Lanz. "You owe it to the world to be good to yourself."

He said though anyone can accomplish the same as Lanz, ITASC is not an easy program because it takes hard work, honesty and a personal investment to become sober. Seeing people graduating from the program, he added, is the icing on the cake.

"It's what makes it all worthwhile," Voet said.

Lanz said ITASC was a program he needed that has helped him look at life differently. He said others can make it through the program if they work to the best of their ability.